LOGINAfter her step sister ran away from her marriage to the billion-dollar heir, they took Emerald Jane Campbell as a stand-in to fill the void her stepsister left. Forced by her greedy mother, Emerald can't do anything but to follow. She was tied to the disabled billion-dollar heir for three years and all she got was cold treatment from him. Years later, a kidnapper appeared in their lives. The kidnapper threatens the life of Emerald until Jude Rafael Sanders— the billion-dollar decides to do what it takes to protect his wife, Emerald. Secrets began to unravel one by one. But what if Jude finds out his beloved wife was conspiring to the kidnappers? Find out how tension intensifies in their roller coaster marriage.
View MoreEmerald's Point of View
The small wound I got while preparing the basket for my husband was nothing compared to the pain that struck in my heart. I walked towards his hospital room, and as expected, a couple of his men were scattered around and guarding his door.
One of his security personnel looked at me from head to toe. “You're not a nurse or a doctor. Visitors are not allowed.”
I bit my lower lip. I am not just a simple visitor but Jude's husband! Those are the lines I wanted to slap on them, but I couldn't. Our marriage is confidential; it should be kept a secret; otherwise, I'll be doomed if someone finds out!
“I am representing Campbell Daily and an employee under Campbells. They asked me to personally deliver this fruit basket for him. How can I not fulfill the task assigned to me by my bosses? Will you cover up for me instead if my boss vents out their anger?” I responded sternly. The guard I was speaking to slowly glanced to his right side.
One of them nodded his head and opened the door for me.
A dead silence crept inside the room. Jude was sitting on the bed, facing the other side of the room, buttoning up his white long sleeves. He picked up the coat that was hanging beside him, spun around, and faced me.
His cold, stoic face narrowed on my location. I nibbled my lower lip as I gripped my coat tightly.
“What are you doing here?” A cold, raspy voice filled the entire hospital room.
Unhurriedly, Jude's eyes fell down on my hand. Jude noticed the freshly cut, bandaged fingers on my hand. Feeling nervous, I hid my hand behind my back.
I directed my gaze toward the cut on his face. It's fresh and red. A day hasn't passed, and yet he's ready to go out. He's not listening to the doctor again!
"The doctor advised you to take at least two weeks off to rest, so-" I wasn't able to continue because he interrupted.
“Leave.”
I didn't listen to what Jude was whining about. Instead, I placed the fruit basket on the side table and engaged in conversation.
“How can I just leave you here? I may have ulterior motives for coming here, but I am still your wife, Jude.”
Jude stood up, holding on to the hospital bed as soon as he had enough strength to sit on his wheelchair. I held his hand, helping him to settle himself, but he simply brushed off my hands in a harsh manner.
For the second time around, I was hurt. He never accepted any help from me.
He scoffed. “Oh, God. We're only married on paper, Emerald. Quit acting like you're my real wife. For years, you've been trying like one!”
Jude may harbor animosity toward me for up to three years. He doesn't need to say yes to my parents in order to tie the knot and maintain the connection with our family; rather, he said yes.
With a heavy heart, I took out a brown envelope and put it on his side. His eyes lingered on it, and as soon as he saw what was inside, a small, cunning smirk crept onto his lips. The writing on it amused him.
“Let's get this done. I prepared our divorce papers, and all you need to do is sign. Three years in misery is enough!” I spat out with mixed emotions visible in my eyes.
My eyes widened when Jude tore all the papers apart and threw them away. I stumbled upon him, lost for words. All my emotions turn into disgust, anger, and sorrow.
I only want him to release me, give us freedom from this catastrophe that our parents tied us into. I don't want this marriage; neither does he, but he kept resisting!
“Bullshit. That's a sign of stupidity, Emerald. A pure crap.” He uttered it in a stoic manner.
“I am tired, Jude! I am sick of this loveless marriage between us! I am tired of being a stand-in, a puppet to everyone, and being your substitute wife!” I burst out my lungs. I didn't mind if someone might hear us outside.
Tears streamed down my face, yet he remained nonchalant and cold. He showed no sign of empathy toward me, but his arrogance was evident.
“Lower your voice, or someone might hear you. Dare to speak again, and I'll make sure to screw your life over this time,” he warned.
Jude maneuvered his wheelchair toward me while maintaining a safe distance of several meters.
“Emerald, you bear too much blame to consider your request. Do you think I'll grant you a divorce? No! Not only did you ruin my life, but your negligence and arrogant actions also earned me a lot of criticism!
I took all the blame when my sister ran away. Unforeseen circumstances prevented Phoebe from marrying Jude before the wedding. Many people eagerly anticipate their upcoming wedding, even branding it as the wedding of the year.
A day before the wedding, I decided to escape as well. I don't want to marry Jude in place of Phoebe, who vanished into thin air. However, Jude went after me and subsequently suffered an accident. He woke up bearing the heartbreaking news that he wasn't able to walk and was completely paralyzed.
Jude harbored a deep hatred toward me, and I took full responsibility for the events that transpired. I thought he would call the marriage off but rather proceed on marrying me. My mom wouldn't let me get off the hook easily knowing I am marrying a son of a future president of the country. Her greed for money and power is incomparable. I can't call her a mother, but I also can't hate her.
My mom loves power. It's the most important thing to her. She married Phoebe's father out of her thirst and greed for it. She even supported the idea of throwing me in a tiger's den in order to become the daughter-in-law of the future president of our country. How cruel, isn't she?
“We've been married for three years, and yet you still don't know me. I won't sign the divorce papers, Emerald. I took you as a stand-in and as a hostage. You will live with me for the rest of your life. I want you to experience hell in my hands!”
Indeed, I triggered his anger. The root of his anger kept lingering in his mind. There's no way I can erase it in his memory no matter what I do.
But I am so tired... I'm tired of being around him. I've endured enough hardships, but they pale in comparison to his. Well, maybe my mom was right; life might have been wonderful if I had been the one who died that day and not my brother. My sister might have lived a life she wanted if I had become deaf and not her, and our parents wouldn't have reached for Sanders’ help if the accident did not happen.
Everything occurred because of me.
“Jude, I—”
Suddenly, a group of men rushed into his room. They opened the door and pushed me away from Jude, acting as if I were a predator who was trying to harm him.
“Take this woman away!” The head of his security team affirmed.
Several tears streamed down my face as I gazed at him, pleading with my eyes, but he showed no emotion when his men dragged me out of his room.
Unfair... But I think I deserve the hell I live in right now. I will die caged in this loveless marriage my parents put me through. Maybe this is the fate written for me, but I won't just sit back and do nothing.
Back at the building owned by the Sanders, an old man disappointed with his one and only remaining son caught the public's attention. People are staring at them. Employees are making fun of the arrogant man, Jude, speaking ill words against him. They bear no shame. Whenever Jude is around, they look angelic, but when he's not looking, employees tend to speak negative things behind his back. All of them…. are plastic. Jude bears no hate among those people who did it to him. Being constantly compared to his dead older brother by everyone drained him out. It wasn't new, he's used to it, but whenever it's his father who brings it up, the wounds of the past hit harder. “You're a good for nothing son.” Juan exclaimed stoically. He has zero remorse towards his one and only remaining son. Meanwhile, Jude remained sitting on his wheelchair. His claws tightened whilst bearing all the pain hearing his father almost disowning him. A pain struck his heart. Will he still think the same if he f
“Perfect.” Antonette affirmed with a huge smile crept on her face. She was ogling at the paper she's holding, a work-related stuff she teamed-up with Emerald. Emerald nervously spoke. “Do you think Jude—I mean Mr. Sanders would be pleased about it?” “Of course!” Antonette leaned forward. “If he finds out it was his wife's idea, he will be glad,” she then winked at her. A soft, low chuckle comes out her lips. Good thing. No one has heard them talking about marriage stuff, otherwise, she'll get doomed. The silly thought passed through her mind, there's no way Jude would be glad about something that has traces of her. Emerald had long accepted the fate between them. You can love a person and still distance yourself away from them. Loving them from a far feels at peace than staying but toxic. Left with nothing else to do, Emerald went back to her table only to see a box of cake under her table. The whole team was holding small yet cute cakes on their hands with names on it. She was c
“But—” Emerald affirmed, trying to defy Jude's order. “I will be meeting a friend today. My friend already reserved a table for us elsewhere and it’s a high end hotel.” Jude arched his eyebrows. “And?” He sarcastically affirmed. Emerald nibbled her lower lip, reading what Jude was thinking about. “It would be a shame if I wouldn't see him at our agreed time. I don't totally belong to your team so I was thinking if… I can go home early.” Everyone was just silent. Among the people they met, only Emerald has the power to talk back against their boss. Jude holds little to no patience, and he fires everyone who has an unpleasant attitude. Trying to oppose him makes Emerald a perfect candidate for drop out employees. She doesn't see anything wrong with what she said. If she were to read the rulebook, there's an allotted time for employees to work. An overtime should be only implemented when it's needed. “Technically, you are my personal assistant. As long as I'm here, you stay here. Ha
She made sure that no traces of tears were visible in her face. It took her almost 30 minutes in the bathroom to cry herself out rather than ignoring her feelings again just because she loves her mother more than herself. Jude noticed Emerald's red eyes from a far. He saw her cheeks red as apple along with her arm with a mark of an object that seemed to penetrate her body. His raw emotions splurged inside of him—hinting that something happened towards her. Without a second thought, Jude put down the paper he was holding as his whole attention was now on his wife. He nibbled his lower lip, playing with his index finger whilst watching the woman sit in her cubicle. Jude has the urge to come towards his wife yet he couldn't act recklessly especially when they aren't at home. Emerald's mother raw dogged her in the comfort room. A face slap, a tight grip, and a gut wrenching gaslight she got from a mother like Aileen. “Emerald!” Loren yelled her name. She immediately diverted her gaze
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